Go-ahead for new railway station at Hepburn Avenue, Greenwood

Transport Minister Eric Charlton today announced the go-ahead for a new urban railway station and passenger interchange at Hepburn Avenue, Greenwood.

The new $4 million interchange will incorporate parking for 660 cars and is expected to cater for up to 2,000 passengers a day.

"The new Hepburn Avenue station will be sited between Warwick and Whitfords stations and will offer greatly expanded Park n' Ride facilities for people in the area," Mr Charlton said.

The Government has opted for Park n' Ride facilities at the new complex after exploring several other carparking options, including the construction of tiered parking at Whitfords.

Modification of existing interchanges at either Warwick or Whitfords would have been more expensive, caused greater disruption to existing users, and would not have generated a significant number of new passengers.

"This new passenger interchange is part of the Government's commitment to increase the use of public transport as an alternative to using private vehicles for commuter travel," Mr Charlton said.

"The northern suburbs railway has been a spectacular success, largely due to its ability to compete effectively with private car travel to Perth and other metropolitan destinations.

"We are committed to continually improving and streamlining urban rail and have already announced the arrival late next year of five new trains for the network," he said.

Mr Charlton said construction of the Hepburn Avenue interchange would be part of Westrail's 1998-99 works program and was expected to be completed by June, 1999.

More than 400 people were expected to walk to the new Hepburn Avenue facility each day.

Operational plans were now being formulated to integrate the new interchange into existing services to ensure the frequency and speed of trains was not significantly affected.